Sci-Fi Newbie

[Kirun]

Soo...I'm sitting here craving some really good Sci-Fi stories after watching Firefly again. Basically, I'm just bored to death with fantasy in general, so I'm looking for some recommendations.

I'm not a very avid reader, I've finished maybe only 10-15 novels total in my lifetime, and I've never read a Sci-Fi novel before. Basically, I'm interested in distant(or near) future, as long as it contains advanced tech. The more space battles, the more advanced the tech(as long as it doesn't turn into a Science lecture), the better.

A friend let me borrow a few that I'm checking out now, starting with Ender's Game, but I'd like some more recommendations if anybody has any.

[Ancalagon]

You'll probably have Dune recommended to you. It's considered by many to be to Science Fiction what Lord of the Rings is to fantasy. My advice, given what you've written: Don't bother with Dune. Not that it's not excellent; it is. But it's more like fantasy with Sci-Fi trappings than it is pure Science Fiction, which is what you seem to be looking for.

Unfortunately I don't have anything really substantial to recommend, what little time I have for reading fiction being devoted to fantasy and historical fiction. But two works I've had recommended to me numerous times: Amazon.com: Foundation (Foundation Novels): Isaac Asimov: Books and Amazon.com: Starship Troopers: Robert A. Heinlein: Books

Hope that helps, enjoy.

[Sharmai]

Foundation series will keep you busy for awhile.

Also check out Altered Carbon.

[Kirun]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon

But it's more like fantasy with Sci-Fi trappings than it is pure Science Fiction, which is what you seem to be looking for.

Yup, exactly. I want as little fantasy as possible mixed in with my Sci-Fi. Also, I'd prefer to stay away from the big "franchises" as well. Star Wars, Star Trek, etc. I'm looking for something unique, yet also engaging.

Thanks for the recommendation of Altered Carbon, but it appears to deal with investigation/crime. I'm looking more for space opera type novels, I guess.

[banubus]

Starship Troopers sounds exactly like what you are looking for. A fictional future war between man and space bugs and strong political themes!

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Try Praxis by Walter Jon Williams, Space Opera, no mystical energy fields or the like.

I'd also urge you to reconsider Altered Carbon, because if you like Reynolds from Firefly you should dig Kovacs.

[Kirun]

Originally Posted by Nebuchadnezzar

Try Praxis by Walter Jon Williams, Space Opera, no mystical energy fields or the like.

Dread Empire's Fall: The Praxis?

I'd also urge you to reconsider Altered Carbon, because if you like Reynolds from Firefly you should dig Kovacs.

This has me intrigued, I will definitely check it out.

[Lhon]

Originally Posted by Sharmai

Foundation series will keep you busy for awhile.

Also check out Altered Carbon.

I would recommend against the Foundation series. While it's considered a classic, it's really not a great introduction to sci-fi. Altered Carbon is good.

For space battles and super high tech, try Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks.

[PosterOfStuff]

Not an avid reader !

I suggest purchasing Science Fiction short story collections (from the 50's up to the modern day).

These will expose you to the writing style of various authors and that in turn may help you make your own decision on what novels you would like to read.

Some real gems exist in the older books "The Quest for Saint Aquin" by Anthony Boucher.

[Mudcrush Durtfeet]

Try the Mote in God's Eye by Niven and Pournelle

[Lusiphur]

Miles Vorkosigan stuff by Lois McMaster Bujold. Easy going space opera.

[T-rex]

Originally Posted by Lhon

I would recommend against the Foundation series. While it's considered a classic, it's really not a great introduction to sci-fi. Altered Carbon is good.

For space battles and super high tech, try Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks.

I would disagree with you there. The Foundation is really the perfect introduction to Science Fiction. As it goes, it sort of progresses through structures starting very simply, and ending with a great deal of complexity. The pace is perfect to draw you in and keep you reading. Plus, it was the first wildly successful space opera style of book so read it, or else.

[Zeste]

My favorite books are the Star of the Guardians series by Margaret Weis.

It's sorta scifi space fantasy. I love it though, really is an awesome journey.

Amazon.com: Lost King, The: Margaret Weis: Books

[Wombat]

Scalzi's Old Man's War & Niven/Pournelle's The Mote in God's Eye.

[Vvoid]

Originally Posted by Kirun

The more space battles, the more advanced the tech(as long as it doesn't turn into a Science lecture), the better.

Read the David Weber & Steven Wright Books. There are 4 in the series, although I seem to remember it sort of being 2 and 2, with The Shiva Option and Insurrection being one, and Crusade and In Death Ground being the other.

The books are quite lengthy, so if you aren't much of a reader they can be a bit daunting, but you'd be hard pressed to find a better depiction of epic space battles anywhere else. And the storyline is, in general, quite good.